The Nevada Sagebrush

Quick summary: Nevada vs. Boise State

By: Lukas Eggen

Saturday, November 28, 2009 - 5:29 AM

Nevada tight end Virgil Green, right, caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter of the Wolf Pack's 44-33 loss to Boise State Friday. Photo by Casey Durkin/The Nevada Sagebrush

BOISE — The Broncos started the game with a bang when wide receiver Titus Young returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to put his team up 7-0.

–After Nevada went three and out in its first possession, the Broncos drove the ball to Nevada’s 29-yard line when it faced a fourth and one. Boise State went for it, converted and scored another touchdown on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Kellen Moore to linebacker Dan Paul.

–After another Wolf Pack punt and Boise State drove the ball 88 yards for a touchdown, culminating with a three-yard touchdown pass from Moore to Paul to lead 20-0.

Second quarter:

–Nevada finally got on the board, scoring a 23-yard field goal by kicker Ricky Drake.

–Boise State answered with Moore’s third touchdown pass of the game when he hit Paul, once again, for a one-yard touchdown. The drive was sparked by a 35-yard reception by running back Jeremy Avery to move the ball to Nevada’s 29-yard line.

–The Wolf Pack’s offense finally came alive at the end of the half, scoring two touchdowns to pull within 27-16. The first touchdown came on a pass from Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick to tight end Virgil Green. The second came on a three-yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick to wide receiver Brandon Wimberly with three seconds left in the half. Wimberly had three catches for 52 yards on the drive, cutting Boise State’s lead to 27-16 going into half time.

Third quarter:

–After trading punts, the Wolf Pack received the ball on Boise State’s 48-yard line. Eight plays later, Nevada cut Boise State’s lead to 27-19 on a 37-yard field goal by Drake.

–The Broncos increased its lead to 34-19 after a 21-yard touchdown pass from Moore to wide receiver Tommy Gallarda.

–Nevada responded quickly with a 71-yard touchdown run by running back Vai Taua, cutting the lead to 34-26.

–A fumble by Boise State wide receiver Kirby Moore gave Nevada the ball from its own 47-yard line with 1:06 left in the quarter. Nevada, however, failed to pick up a first down and was forced to punt the ball.

Fourth quarter:

–After forcing Boise State to punt, Nevada took over from its 21-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Taua fumbled and the Broncos recovered on Nevada’s 33-yard line.

–The Broncos drive to Nevada’s 10-yard line, but were held to a field goal to increase its lead to 37-26.

–On Nevada’s next possession, Kaepernick was sacked at the Wolf Pack’s 10-yard line, forcing the team to punt.

–Boise State took advantage and Moore completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Moore to put the Broncos up 44-26 with a little more than five minutes remaining.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at leggen@nevadasagebrush.com.